All Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer Explained

All Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer are very unique techniques used by Demon Slayers. They allow humans to fight demons, who are naturally much stronger. These techniques help each Demon Slayer improve their strength, speed, and reflexes in battle.

These breathing styles define each warrior’s combat identity—see how they play out in action with our best fights in Demon Slayer recap.

All Breathing Styles come from Sun Breathing which is also the first and most powerful style. Over time, different versions were created to fit different fighting styles. Some are fast, some are powerful, and some focus on tricking the enemy.

Let’s explore all the Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer and how they work.

The Origin of Breathing Styles

Long time ago, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was one of the strongest Demon Slayers who created Sun Breathing Style. It was very difficult to learn for most of the other Slayers, so they developed new styles based on it.

How Breathing Styles Evolved

• Sun Breathing → Five Main Styles
• Five Main Styles → Branch Styles
• New styles created based on personal abilities

These techniques became the core breathing styles of the Demon Slayer Corps. Now, let’s break down each style.

The Five Main Breathing Styles

These styles are the foundation of all other Breathing Styles. Each one focuses on a different way of fighting.

Water Breathing

• Used by Giyu Tomioka and Tanjiro Kamado
• Calm and flowing attacks that adapt to any situation
• Best for defensive and counter-attacks
• Notable Technique: Eleventh Form – Dead Calm

Flame Breathing

• Used by Kyojuro Rengoku
• Powerful, burning attacks with strong finishing moves
• Best for overpowering enemies
• Notable Technique: Ninth Form – Rengoku

Thunder Breathing

• Used by Zenitsu Agatsuma
• Lightning-fast strikes with explosive speed
• Best for quick and decisive attacks
• Notable Technique: First Form – Thunderclap and Flash: God Speed

Wind Breathing

• Used by Sanemi Shinazugawa
• Wild and aggressive attacks that cover a large area
• Best for fighting multiple enemies at once
• Notable Technique: Seventh Form – Gale Sudden Gusts

Stone Breathing

• Used by Gyomei Himejima
• Heavy and crushing attacks that use extreme strength
• Best for defense and counterattacks
• Notable Technique: Fifth Form – Arcs of Justice

These five are the main Breathing Styles. But over time, Demon Slayers created new versions.

Advanced and Rare Breathing Styles

Some Slayers develop unique Breathing Styles based on their abilities. These styles are rare and powerful.

Sun Breathing (The Original Style)

• Used by Yoriichi Tsugikuni and later Tanjiro Kamado
• The strongest Breathing Style with no weaknesses
• Notable Technique: Thirteenth Form – A continuous cycle of all forms

Sun Breathing’s origin connects directly to Yoriichi Tsugikuni—explored in depth in our Yoriichi vs Muzan character comparison.

Moon Breathing

• Used by Kokushibo (Upper Rank One)
• A twisted version of Sun Breathing that creates crescent-shaped slashes
• Notable Technique: Sixteenth Form – Moonbow, Half Moon

Sound Breathing

• Used by Tengen Uzui
• Uses sound waves and explosions to disorient enemies
• Notable Technique: Fifth Form – String Performance

Mist Breathing

• Used by Muichiro Tokito
• Confuses enemies with mist-like movements
• Notable Technique: Seventh Form – Obscuring Clouds

Serpent Breathing

• Used by Obanai Iguro
• Mimics a snake’s unpredictable movements
• Notable Technique: Fifth Form – Slithering Serpent

Love Breathing

• Used by Mitsuri Kanroji
• Fast and flexible movements that strike from unexpected angles
• Notable Technique: Fifth Form – Swaying Love, Wildclaw

Beast Breathing

• Used by Inosuke Hashibira
• A wild and instinct-based style
• Notable Technique: Seventh Fang – Spatial Awareness

Hybrid and Special Breathing Styles

Some Breathing Styles do not fit into the main categories. These styles are rare and unique.

Insect Breathing

• Used by Shinobu Kocho
• Focuses on poison attacks instead of raw strength
• Notable Technique: Dance of the Centipede – Hundred-Legged Zigzag

Flower Breathing

• Used by Kanae Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri
• Precise and graceful attacks with enhanced vision techniques
• Notable Technique: Final Form – Equinoctial Vermilion Eye

Ice and Other Non-Canon Breathing Styles

• Some anime-only styles exist, but they are not part of the main story.

How Do Breathing Styles Work?

All Breathing Styles use Total Concentration Breathing, which boosts the Slayer’s abilities.

How Breathing Styles Help Demon Slayers

• Increase oxygen intake to make the body stronger
• Improve speed, reflexes, and endurance
• Allow humans to fight demons on equal ground

Not every Slayer can use the same style. Some even create their own versions.

FAQs

1. What are all the Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer?

There are five main styles and many derivative styles like Sun, Moon, Sound, and Mist.

2. Which is the strongest Breathing Style?

Sun Breathing is the strongest. It is the original style and has no weaknesses.

3. How many Breathing Styles exist?

There are at least 14 official Breathing Styles, but some anime-only styles also exist.

4. Can a demon use Breathing Styles?

No. But Kokushibo used to be a Demon Slayer, so he still used Moon Breathing.

5. What is the rarest Breathing Style?

Sun Breathing is the rarest. Only a few people in history have used it.

Conclusion

Breathing Styles are the core fighting techniques in Demon Slayer. Each breathing style has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some focus on speed, some on power, and some on deceit.

These techniques shape the power hierarchy among the Hashira—check out our Strongest Hashira in Demon Slayer guide for more.

But Sun Breathing remains the strongest of them all.